Evaluation of the Relationship between Pollen Count and the Outbreak of Allergic Diseases / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The distribution of pollens in the air is mainly related to the weather conditions, especially temperature and humidity. This study focused on the evaluation of the relationship between pollen count and the outbreak of allergic diseases (symptom index) from allergic patients in Korea in order to determine Korean own allergy risk grade for the pollen forecasting system. METHODS: Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily in nationwide 8 stations (Seoul, Guri, Daejeon, Daegu, Kwangju Busan, Kangneung, and Jeju) by using 7 day- Burkard sampler in South Korea for 8 months (March 1, 2008-October 31, 2008). They were counted and recorded along with weather factors. Symptom index was calculated and recorded by phone calling to allergic patients 3 times a week. RESULTS: Airborne pollens have 2 peak seasons (May and September) in Korea. In the skin prick test, ragweed was the highest sensitization rate (5.9%), followed by mugwort (5.8 %), alder (4.9%), birch (4.8%) and oak grasses among the pollen extracts in Korean school-aged children. There are significant relationship between symptom index of allergic patients and allergic pollen concentrations. Korean own risk grade of pollen allergy was made by using the data from this study. CONCLUSION: Risk grade of pollens for allergy pollen forecast among each allergic plant was established. Further studies are needed to confirm it our result.